This article, an expanded version of the introduction to the authors’ critical edition of the Arabic text of The Incoherence of the Philosophers (Tahāfut al-Falāsifa) and its Turkish translation, re-examines Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī's (d. 1111) seminal work, moving beyond its function as a mere critique of philosophical thought. By situating the text within the broader context of intellectual encounters between "native" Islamic traditions and "foreign" philosophical ideas, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of Ghazālī's intellectual inquiry. Focusing on Ghazālī's critique of al-Fārābī (d. 950) and Ibn Sīnā (d. 1037), the article analyzes his complex dialectical strategies, revealing both the strengths and inconsistencies within his arguments. While he forcefully condemns those embracing Greek philosophy as abandoning authentic Islamic beliefs, Ghazālī's reliance on philosophical tools and terminology reveals a deep familiarity with the very system he seeks to dismantle. The article further explores the enduring impact of The Incoherence on Islamic intellectual history. By examining the diverse responses to Ghazālī's critique, as seen in the works of Ibn Rushd (d. 1198), Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 1210), and Suhrawardī (1191), this study demonstrates how The Incoherence served as a catalyst for philosophical reflection, methodological refinement, and the development of new intellectual frameworks within Islamic thought. Ghazālī's legacy, therefore, lies not only in his critique of philosophy but also in his profound influence on its subsequent trajectory.